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BatmanPPC · 02:00 PM

Has anyone gotten the macally iceKey? Any opinions on it?

I like the feel of my tibook keyboard and and wanted something similar as a full sized keyboard when I'm at my desk at home.

duboy · Oct 21, 2002, 01:22 PM

I am also interested in this keyboard, but i'm wondering if it has an eject key?

BatmanPPC · Oct 21, 2002, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by duboy:
I am also interested in this keyboard, but i'm wondering if it has an eject key?

From the picture it looks like it has everything the apple keyboard has. The volume/mute keyss and the eject key.

OldManMac · Oct 21, 2002, 02:38 PM

I just held one next to the Apple Pro keyboard (white), and the Macally is actually the exact same width as the white iMac keyboard, and about 1/2" deeper, so it would take up more space. It's also the same price as the Apple keyboard. It does have the eject and volume keys. This thread prompted me to look at it, as I was thinking about trying to find a slightly smaller keyboard (my 17" iMac keyboard is tight where I have it), but the Macally is not the answer.

BatmanPPC · Oct 21, 2002, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by KarlG:
I just held one next to the Apple Pro keyboard (white), and the Macally is actually the exact same width as the white iMac keyboard, and about 1/2" deeper, so it would take up more space. It's also the same price as the Apple keyboard. It does have the eject and volume keys. This thread prompted me to look at it, as I was thinking about trying to find a slightly smaller keyboard (my 17" iMac keyboard is tight where I have it), but the Macally is not the answer.

Did you happen to try it out for feel? Have you ever used a powerbook keyboard and would be able to compare it?

duboy · Oct 21, 2002, 03:27 PM

where can i go to look at this keyboard? KarlG, did you go to a store? if so, which one?

duboy · Oct 22, 2002, 11:06 AM

i placed an order for one, should be coming within a week, i'll let you all know how it feels.....

G4ME · Oct 22, 2002, 11:18 AM

good luck my shift key and space bar is getting alittle tight on my pro key board, but I love it just the same so I will keep it to the bitter end

OldManMac · Oct 22, 2002, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by duboy:
where can i go to look at this keyboard? KarlG, did you go to a store? if so, which one?

CompUSA carries them. I work in one, as an Apple Solutions Consultant.

Deal · Oct 23, 2002, 12:28 AM

I wouldn't buy a MacAlley keyboard if it were the last keyboard on earth. Ever since they locked up G4s and originally blamed the issue on Apple.

BatmanPPC · Oct 23, 2002, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by Deal:
I wouldn't buy a MacAlley keyboard if it were the last keyboard on earth. Ever since they locked up G4s and originally blamed the issue on Apple.

Opinion noted.

I've never had problems with my iKey and I know several people who are using iKeys with various G4s.

duboy · Oct 24, 2002, 11:27 PM

just got the ICEkey today....i like it a lot, reminds me of my Lombard's keyboard....it's pretty cool. i find that i can type a bit faster on it since my fingers don't have to go as far...travel that is...and it's quiet...sounds kind of like a puppy's paws on a hardwood floor...funny analogy, but it's about true. i expected it to just work out of the box, but to get the eject key and the volume stuffs to work, i had to install an icekey.kext (keyboard extension iguess?) hopefully it won't cause any problems in the future, like compatibility. i haven't seen the drivers up for download yet, they're still in beta stage i think. i really like the feel of this keyboard, and although it doesn't quite match my G4, i can put up with it for the cool feel :-) so there's my quick and dirty review. if you like laptop keyboards...get this one, it feels great!

BatmanPPC · Oct 25, 2002, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by duboy:
just got the ICEkey today....i like it a lot, reminds me of my Lombard's keyboard....it's pretty cool. i find that i can type a bit faster on it since my fingers don't have to go as far...travel that is...and it's quiet...sounds kind of like a puppy's paws on a hardwood floor...funny analogy, but it's about true. i expected it to just work out of the box, but to get the eject key and the volume stuffs to work, i had to install an icekey.kext (keyboard extension iguess?) hopefully it won't cause any problems in the future, like compatibility. i haven't seen the drivers up for download yet, they're still in beta stage i think. i really like the feel of this keyboard, and although it doesn't quite match my G4, i can put up with it for the cool feel :-) so there's my quick and dirty review. if you like laptop keyboards...get this one, it feels great!

Hey, thanks for the review!

I heard from someone else who works at a CompUSA a couple hours ago and also mentioned that anyone who likes laptop keyboards would love the iceKey.

I think I'll order mine later today.

Thanks again.

jmiddel · Oct 26, 2003, 05:37 PM

duboy, thank you for the review, I also love the icekey and have the same problem with the eject key. Where did you find the relevant kernel extension, and where did you put it?

duboy · Oct 27, 2003, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by jmiddel:
duboy, thank you for the review, I also love the icekey and have the same problem with the eject key. Where did you find the relevant kernel extension, and where did you put it?

hey jmiddel. you can download the keyboard extension here:

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/16947

i don't remember exactly where it went, but there are directions..or an installer...before you install the kext though, try using the f12 key to eject. does it work?

jmiddel · Oct 27, 2003, 10:39 PM

duboy, thanks for the F12 tip, it works!

gizzard · Oct 28, 2003, 12:09 AM

I reviewed the iceKey a few months ago and thought it was great. (Though the spacebar is starting to act up.)

JustinD · Oct 28, 2003, 01:05 AM

I LOVE the iceKey. I got it way back in the day,l and can't wait till macally releases the RF version of it!

It's the best way to get that perfect Aluminum G4 keyboard feel for your desktop. I can now type way faster on the low-profile keys, that I shudder at the thought of going back to a standard desktop keyboard. =D

And the software for it works great under Panther!

Luca Rescigno · Oct 28, 2003, 01:23 AM

A friend of mine has an iceKey and it seems pretty good. I've only used it once - the most confusing thing about is that there's a blank, functionless key next to one of the control keys (to the left of the left one, I think...). I don't know why that's there, but maybe they wanted to make all the modifier keys the same size and they had to add this blank space to make it work.

Anyway, it feels quite a bit like a very good laptop keyboard but it has a bit more travel than my iBook had. It's not the tiny amount of travel like most laptops but you can definitely tell that it's the same scissor-key mechanism. Feels good. Oh, and it's really big, and it has the exact same key layout as the Apple keyboards (except for that blank key I pointed out). But my Apple Keyboard is doing me fine now, and it's nice and compact, and it has a good feel.

aribus · Dec 7, 2003, 06:24 PM

Is there any way to map that key with additional software?

AC Rempt · Dec 7, 2003, 11:25 PM

I've used an iceKey with my old school twin gig G4 for months now, and I type all the time. It's a great board, very responsive with great key action. It's one of the best keyboards I've ever used. Reminds me of the keyboard on the TiBook.

I am very picky about my keyboards, and I have some pretty large hands.

kikkoman · Dec 8, 2003, 09:20 AM

I've been an iceKey for about a year now with no problems. It is similar to a very good laptop keyboard. The short solid keystroke feels great.